Waynesboro Area Gala Cancer Auction raises $74,000

David, Barry, Ron, Virginia, Charles, Gladys, Connie, Grace and Kim.

Memorialized or honored, their names filled four pages in the catalog for the 32nd annual Waynesboro Area Gala Cancer Auction, tributes from donors who helped raise more than $74,000 for the Franklin County unit of the American Cancer Society Saturday night.

Comment

By Nancy Mace/The Record Herald

Waynesboro Record Herald - Waynesboro, PA

By Nancy Mace/The Record Herald

Posted Apr. 1, 2013 at 10:30 AM

By Nancy Mace/The Record Herald

Posted Apr. 1, 2013 at 10:30 AM

David, Barry, Ron, Virginia, Charles, Gladys, Connie, Grace and Kim.

Memorialized or honored, their names filled four pages in the catalog for the 32nd annual Waynesboro Area Gala Cancer Auction, tributes from donors who helped raise more than $74,000 for the Franklin County unit of the American Cancer Society Saturday night.

A successful tradition

It was “Time for Cancer to take a Hike,“ this year’s theme, as auction-goers poured into Green Grove Gardens to bid on items on the silent auction tables and during the oral auction.

“We were crossing our fingers that the change in venue and the change in date (a month earlier) would be positive factors in the outcome of the auction,“ said Jill Kessler, chairperson of the auction, held for the first time in Green Grove Gardens.

“Conservatively, we had over 400 people supporting WAGCA and the American Cancer Society. I know of people from Tennessee that were visiting relatives in Chambersburg and while not knowing about us and the auction, decided to come out,” Kessler said.

Steering committee member Denise Beck added, “One thing that I found really neat and encouraging for the future of the auction is all the second-generation kids that were there not only to help, but also bidding.

“This is so neat that these younger ones realize how important it is to give to the community. It was awesome to see so many tables with moms and dads and their grown kids with their spouses and some with their kids and some with grandparents, too,” Beck said.

Ron Byers of Mont Alto remembered close friend and co-worker Curt Rice as he reflected on his many years of attending the auction.

“We were like brothers. We did a lot together,” noted Byers, who was hoping to be the lucky bidder on a patio. “We don’t worry about the price, because it all goes to the cancer society.”

Jeff Worth of Chesterbrook was attending the auction for the first time with friend Peggy Sandel of Quincy Village.

“What a worthwhile cause. This is wonderful. Not only is the venue exciting, the people and all the items up for auction are exciting, too. This is an enjoyable evening,” Worth said.

Terry Newlin of Waynesboro was marking his 20th year of attending the auction.

“I just like auctions and I buy Christmas presents. I especially like the Candy Kitchen gift cards. I try to get them every year.” Newlin said his first time at the auction, he was “just curious … I’ve been coming ever since.”

Winning bidders

Page 2 of 2 - Charlie Strausbaugh of Waynesboro was the winning bidder for the weekend getaway to New York City for eight people, which added $8,000 to the coffers.

“When do you have the opportunity to take a chartered aircraft, be pampered with a limousine ride and a stay at a four-star hotel, plus make a contribution to the cancer auction?” he asked.

“On behalf of the people in our group, I want to thank Aero-Smith Inc. (of Martinsburg, W.Va.) for making such a generous contribution to the auction and to the community. We appreciate that they gave us this opportunity,” he added.

Other “big ticket” items were: a five-part seasonal lawn program for up to 10,000 square feet from Blue Ridge Lawn Service, $275; the quilt from first-graders of Ellen Scott at Summitview Elementary School, $220; a hillbilly goodie bag that contained homemade deer bologna and deer jerky, “Emma’s Ale” and a quart of Apple Pie Special Brew from Tara Jenson and Shannon Reed, $220; 100 square feet of pavers, installed, from B&D Lawn and Landscape Inc., $900; two-night stay at Landsdowne Resort in northern Virginia, $675; four tickets to see the Washington Redskins take on the Philadelphia Eagles at Fed Ex Field and a parking pass from Jeremy and Andrea Bowersox, $625; a five-course gourmet meal with wine paring for each course for six people from Kristopher LeHardy, $625; a 12-by-8-foot shed from GRC employees, $750; and a beach bag containing a Kindle Fire and other beach items from Beta Sigma Phi Preceptor Alpha Chapter, $230.

Countless volunteers helped make this year’s auction a success, including the steering committee, the auctioneers (Ron Hamner Auction Co.), solicitors, silent table workers, food committee, solicitors and donors. Among those assisting were students from Waynesboro Area Senior High School — the National Honor Society and the Class of 2013 Executive Council — who helped to clear tables and direct parking, and manned a book sale and baked goods table.

Next year’s auction is scheduled for Saturday, April 5, in Green Grove Gardens.